They said they were going to do it, and apparently they did it. Honda claims a prototype 2016 Civic Type R destroyed the record for quickest front-wheel drive car to lap the Nürburgring by a pretty significant margin. Are you convinced yet that the new Type R is badass?

Honda claims that an in-development version of their new turbocharged, 310 horsepower hot Civic did the lap in 7 minutes and 50.63 seconds. The car that holds the current production front-drive record set last year, the Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy-R, did it in 7 minutes and 54 seconds.

Though the Civic used was a development prototype, Honda says it had "a standard state of engine tune, with suspension, drivetrain, exhaust, brakes and the aerodynamic package identical to those of the production Civic Type R." It dumped the air conditioning and added a roll cage, but otherwise that was it. The tires come from "a major European tire manufacturer"; Honda left that information specifically vague.

The lap was done last May, and it's only being released now with the debut of the production Civic Type R in Geneva. Honda says they aim to do the 'Ring test again later this year where they hope to set a new lap record for a front-wheel drive production car.

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Sure, 'Ring times are ultimately kind of silly since they're recorded and announced by the manufacturers and not some official third-party certifier. But this time shows that the new Civic Type R is a serious performer. I'm eager to see how the production car holds up.